MU, UW-Green Bay agree to three-year deal

Marquette University will once again play the other three Division I men's basketball programs in the state beginning next season.

UW-Green Bay has accepted a three-year deal to face MU, deputy athletic director Mike Broeker said Monday morning. The first two games will be played at the Bradley Center, and the third at the Resch Center in Green Bay.

MU has not played UW-Green Bay since 1996. The Golden Eagles are 7-2 all-time against the Phoenix, who are coached by former MU assistant Tod Kowalczyk.

The two schools haven't settled on a date for next season's game, but it is expected to be played sometime in December.

Also, Broeker said MU is negotiating to extend its deal with UW-Milwaukee.

The two schools currently have a five-year deal that ends in the 2011-'12 season; the new deal would pick up from there and, like the UW-Green Bay series, include two home games for MU and one for UWM.

MU hosts UWM on Tuesday at 7 p.m.

Looking even further ahead, MU has verbally agreed to participate in the 76 Classic in Anaheim, Calif. in the 2012-'13 season.

Also, next season's CBE Classic field will include Duke, Gonzaga and Kansas State in addition to MU. MU will host two teams before being able to advance to the semifinals in Kansas City; one of its opponents will be Bucknell.